Malek also addressed the allegations against Singer, which were recently detailed by The Atlantic— although his comments seem to specifically speak to anyone uncomfortable with Bohemian Rhapsody in the wake of these accusations. “For anyone who is seeking any solace in all of this,” Malek said, as reported by The Guardian. “Bryan Singer was fired. Bryan Singer was fired — I don’t think that was something anyone saw coming but I think that had to happen and it did.”

In January, Malek told the LA Times that the allegations against Singer were “honestly something I was not aware of” and that he never wanted “to take away from Freddie’s story. I think that puts a button on it in a number of ways." But in the weeks since The Atlantic’s story has been published, it’s clear that those tied to Bohemian Rhapsody can’t put a button on Singer’s involvement with the film — not if they want to win an Oscar, at least.

“My heart goes out to anyone who has to live through anything like what I’ve heard and what is out there,” said Malek. “It’s awful, it’s remarkable that this happens, I can appreciate so much what they’ve been through and how difficult this must be for them. In the light of the #MeToo era, that this somehow seems to exist after that, it’s a horrible thing.”